Set up, use, and troubleshoot the Stereo Headset Adapter

Topics

Set up the Stereo Headset Adapter and a headset

Follow these steps to install the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter with a headset:

Follow the steps at Update your Xbox One Controller to use the Stereo Headset Adapter to make sure your controller is ready to work with the Stereo Headset Adapter.

Insert the Stereo Headset Adapter into the bottom of your Xbox one controller.

Insert the headset’s audio plug into the bottom of the headset adapter. The following 3.5-mm audio headset types are supported:

A single 3.5-mm audio cable headset.

A dual 3.5-mm audio cable headset with 3.5-mm CTIA audio cables.

A headset with chat audio provided by a 3.5-mm audio cable and game audio provided by a separate cable with RCA or optical connectors. (Only chat audio will be enabled through the Stereo Headset Adapter. For RCA/optical connectors [game audio], follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect to the console.)

An Xbox 360 Wired Headset with a 2.5-mm audio cable. Connect to the Stereo Headset Adapter by using the 2.5-mm-to-3.5mm adapter that’s included with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter.

Note

Xbox 360 Wireless Headsets are not compatible with Xbox One.

The very early editions of the Xbox 360 Headset with the following adapter will not work due to the design of the connector.

Use the Stereo Headset Adapter

Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter buttons

Game balance

Chat balance

Volume up

Volume down

Mute

Game/Chat balance: These two buttons adjust the mix of game audio versus chat audio. At default, the mix is 50/50, but you can adjust it to anywhere from 100/0 to 0/100. For example, if you want more game volume than chat volume, press the button with the controller icon until you reach the level you want. A tone will sound when you have reached 100 percent.

Note You might also have game audio coming from your TV. If you don’t want to hear the audio from your TV, simply turn down the volume on your TV. (When you plug a headset into your controller, sound from the TV is not automatically muted or adjusted.)

Mute: This button mutes your chat audio so other users can’t hear you. It doesn’t mute game/music/app audio. This button has an orange LED to indicate that you are muted. This LED lights up only if a headset is plugged into the adapter.

Volume: Volume up and down buttons control all audio coming to your headset, including game and chat audio. If you don’t want to increase both game and chat audio at the same rate, adjust your game/chat audio balance.

Stereo Headset Adapter issues and questions

If you have a question or problem using the Stereo Headset Adapter, see the following topics.

Make sure your controller has fresh batteries. When the batteries get weak, some controller functions like audio and rumble get turned off to conserve the remaining power.

Make sure your headset adapter is firmly plugged into your controller and that your stereo headset’s 3.5-mm cable is securely plugged into the headset adapter. You will know it’s plugged in properly if you press the mute button and the LED lights up. If the mute light comes on and you have updated your controller but your headset isn’t working, consult the manual or manufacturer.

If your Xbox One Controller doesn’t work or gets disconnected after you plug in your Stereo Headset Adapter, unplug your adapter, then update your controller without the adapter. After the controller has updated, insert your Stereo Headset Adapter back into the controller. If you’re prompted to install another update for the adapter, install that update as well.

Note This fix was updated in the Xbox One June 2014 system update. If you previously tried to update the controller but were unsuccessful, please try again to resolve the issue.

If your controller still disconnects after you update it, the controller will need to be replaced. To order a replacement, go to the Xbox Online Service Center.

There’s too much game or chat audio

If you have both game and chat audio plugged into the adapter, use the Game balance or Chat balance button to get more of the desired audio type.

Can I have chat audio through my Kinect as well as my headset?

No, when a headset is detected, the console assumes that you want that audio to be private and automatically turns off Kinect chat audio.

I also hear audio through my TV

The Stereo Headset Adapter doesn’t know if you’re using your headset just for chat or for all audio, so TV audio is not automatically muted when you’re using the adapter. You must manually adjust your TV audio volume.

Your Stereo Headset Adapter is broken

If your Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter is broken, it should be replaced. To order a replacement, go to the Xbox Online Service Center.